Silverada Explained

Silverada (until 2024 Mike and the Moonpies)^[1] is an American neotraditional country and Americana band based in Austin, Texas. It was formed by singer-songwriter Mike Harmeier in 2007.^[2] Its members are singer and guitarist Harmeier, drummer Taylor Englert, guitarist Catlin Rutherford, and bassist Omar Oyoque.^[3]

History

Mike and the Moonpies was formed in Austin, Texas, in 2007 by singer-songwriter Mike Harmeier. Initially a recording project with a rotating cast of local musicians, the group gained a following during a Monday night residency at The Hole in the Wall, a dive bar near the University of Texas campus. The "classic" lineup solidified in 2009 when lead guitarist Catlin Rutherford and pedal steel player Zachary Moulton folded their previous band, The Doolins, to join Harmeier full-time.^[4] With the addition of drummer Kyle Ponder and bassist Preston Rhone, the core quintet was established and released their debut album, The Real Country, in 2010.

In May 2020, Mike and the Moonpies released Touch of You: The Lost Songs of Gary Stewart, an album of unreleased songs written or co-written by American honky-tonk musician and songwriter Gary Stewart. The band's version of Stewart's "Smooth Shot of Whiskey", featuring Mark Wystrach of the band Midland, was released as a single.^[5]

Mike and the Moonpies made their Grand Ole Opry debut on September 6, 2022.^[6]

In January 2024, the band announced that they were changing the band's name from Mike and the Moonpies to Silverada.^[1] Lead singer Mike Harmeier stated that he had considered a name change for over a decade, but finalized the decision to coincide with the release of the band's 2024 self-titled album. During the transition, the band evaluated a list of more than two hundred potential names via a group text chain before selecting Silverada.^[7]

Band members

Current members

• Mike Harmeier – lead vocals, acoustic/electric guitar (2007–present)^[8]
• Catlin Rutherford – lead guitar (2009–present)
• Omar Oyoque – bass guitar (2018–present)
• Taylor Englert – drums (2022–present)

Former members

• Zach Moulton – pedal steel guitar (2009–2025)^[9]
• Kyle Ponder – drums (2009–2022)
• John Carbone – keyboards (2011–2020)
• Preston Rhone – bass guitar (2009–2018)^[10]

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

• The Real Country (2010)^[11]
• Hard Way (2012)^[12]
• Mockingbird (2015)
• Steak Night at the Prairie Rose (2018)
• Cheap Silver & Solid Country Gold (2019)^{[13] [14]}
• Touch of You: The Lost Songs of Gary Stewart (2020)^[5]
• One to Grow On (2021)
• Silverada (2024)
• Texas 42 (2025)

Live albums

• Live at WinStar World Casino & Resort (2016)^[15]
• Live from the Devil's Backbone (2023)^[16]

Music videos

Tours

• European Tour (2023)^[18]
• West Coast Tour (2023)
• Roadshow Tour (2024)^[19]
• Unlit Matches Tour (2025)^[20]
• Leave Em Wanting Tour (2025–2026)^[21]

Notes and References

1. Crutchmer . Josh . Mike and the Moonpies Are Changing Their Name to 'Silverada' . Rolling Stone . 2024-01-26 . 2024-03-28.
2. News: Mike and the Moonpies: It's a hipster honky tonk thing?. Collier. Monica. 2017-02-17. TimesDaily. 2018-02-18. en.
3. News: Mike and the Moonpies return to Boondocks. Spearie. Steven. The State Journal. 2018-02-18. en.
4. Web site: Freeman . Doug . Silverada's Solid Country Gold . Austin Chronicle . 7 February 2026 . 27 June 2024 . ... the core catalyzed when Moulton and Rutherford folded their band, the Doolins, to join the Moonpies in 2009..
5. Freeman . Jon . Mike and the Moonpies Cover Gary Stewart on New Album, 'Touch of You' . . 2020-05-26 . 2020-06-30 .
6. Web site: Grand Ole Opry - Tuesday, September 6 . 2023-05-29 . Opry . en.
7. Web site: Hendrickson . Matt . Mike and the Moonpies' Next Act: Silverada . Garden & Gun . 2024-07-01 . 2026-02-07.
8. Web site: Hitchcock . Paul . Mike and The Moonpies . Morehead State Public Radio . 7 February 2026 . 8 December 2021.
9. Web site: Zachary Moulton - From Silverada Pedal Steel to Solo Singer-Songwriter . The Rugged Revival . 7 February 2026 . 23 December 2025.
10. Web site: Sawyer . Bobbie Jean . Mike and the Moonpies' 'Steak Night at the Prairie Rose' Proves That Country Music Doesn't Need Saving . Wide Open Country . 7 February 2026 . 2 February 2018.
11. News: Mike and the Moonpies hit the road. Hoffberger. Chase. 2013-08-09. Austin Chronicle. 2018-02-18. en-US.
12. How Mike and the Moonpies Captured Texas Barroom Sound on New Album. Gage. Jeff. 2018-02-02. Rolling Stone. 2018-02-18.
13. Web site: Mike & the Moonpies: Cheap Silver & Solid Country Gold Album Review. Freeman. Doug. Austin Chronicle. en-US . 2019-08-08. 2019-08-09.
14. How Mike and the Moonpies Blew Up Their Red Dirt Image at Abbey Road. Hudak. Joseph. 2019-08-02. Rolling Stone. en-US. 2019-08-09.
15. Hear Mike and the Moonpies' Propulsive New Song 'Beaches of Biloxi'. Gage. Jeff. 2017-11-17. Rolling Stone. 2018-02-18.
16. Web site: Crabtree . Mary . 24 November 2023 . Mike & The Moonpies Cover The Wallflowers On New 2-Part Project 'Redbird' . Whiskey Riff . 12 March 2025.
17. Heatseeker Albums. 2018-02-17. Billboard. 2018-02-17.
18. Web site: 3 March 2023 . Mike and the Moonpies Announce European Tour Dates . Hometown Country Music . 12 March 2025.
19. Web site: Sharpe . Josh . Silverada (Formerly Mike and the Moonpies) Releases 'Stay By My Side' From Self-Titled Album . Broadway World . 7 February 2026 . 7 May 2024.
20. Web site: Scudder . Derek . Festival Review- Rock The Rind . The Amp . 7 February 2026 . 7 August 2025 . ... the group’s “Unlit Matches” tour ....
21. Web site: Kraby . Isabel . Fill your calendar with this week's Gainesville music events . The Independent Florida Alligator . 7 February 2026 . 19 January 2026 . ... Silverada makes its fifth stop on its “Leave Em Wanting Tour” in Gainesville ....